Local Legends: Heywood’s unsung hero does it all

Natasha Moore is that volunteer that every club wishes they had. She is one of those individuals who manages to do it all for her local community, and leaves everyone around her wondering how she does it.

Natasha is a mum of three children who all play footy at the Heywood Football Netball Club (FNC) in the South West District Football Netball League (SWDFNL), becoming involved in the club six years ago when her eldest son began playing.

In that short time, Natasha immersed herself in the club and became an treasured part of her local footy community. She has formally held the positions of Junior Club Secretary and Treasurer and Senior Club Secretary for three years each, alongside being the Grants Officer during this time.

Natasha was a major driver during the merging of the Heywood Football junior and senior clubs, motivated by a need to streamline processes and improve pathways for junior footballers to transition into the senior team. During this difficult process, Natasha took on the role of managing consumer affairs and ensuring all players and families were well informed and supported during the transition period.

On top of the formal roles Natasha has held, she goes above and beyond as a parent volunteer on game day, including game day first aid, coordinating the canteen, PlayHQ administration, volunteer rostering, team manager, and match day scoring. She does all this whilst also finding time to watch and support her three children that play football at the club each week, Lewis (U11 Football), Eliza (U14 Football and Netball) and Jenson (U17 Football).

As a result of her contribution to the Heywood FNC, Natasha has won numerous club awards for her work behind the scenes. She has also been an integral part of Heywood’s on field success, being heavily involved in the Heywood Juniors U14 Mixed team who went undefeated in 2023. Natasha found it very rewarding to watch her children, Jenson and Eliza, win the grand final and receive their premiership medals side by side.

Jamie Mathys, a fellow junior football coach at Heywood FNC and friend of Natasha said that she is one of those volunteers that every footy community wishes they had.

“Natasha is one of those people that every club needs. She spends hours upon hours ensuring both the junior and senior football and executive runs smoothly. Natasha has been one of the driving forces behind positive change and the backbone of the Heywood Football Club Juniors over the past few years and we can’t thank her enough.”

It is people like Natasha that keep country footy clubs alive, and the entire Heywood community is grateful and proud to have someone as special and dedicated as Natasha in their lives.

AFL Victoria’s Local Legends initiative aims to recognise the local heroes who are the lifeblood of their local clubs and communities.

Whether it be a coach, player, umpire, local business owner, administrator or volunteer, AFL Victoria wants to celebrate the people who are the backbone of community football clubs. Community football clubs simply could not survive without those who are willing to show up each weekend and make sure that the game goes ahead, crowds are well fed, players are supported and success is enjoyed.

Nominees for the AFL Victoria Local Legends initiative can be anyone who is involved in a community football club in any capacity, whether it be paid or unpaid, directly related to the game or a behind-the-scenes super star, these legends are who make community football what it is.

Do you know someone with a great story like Natasha's? Nominate them now.